The Effect of Exercise on Blood Pressure

The Effect of Exercise on Blood Pressure
Katie Law-Balding
June 28, 2010

Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to see what effect 30 seconds of physical activity would have on a subject’s blood pressure. In this case, physical activity is defined as stair running at a moderate pace for 30 seconds. Standing blood pressure was measured before and after physical activity for comparison purposes. Three trials were completed and initial blood pressure was 94/75 mmHg, 125/92 mmHg, and 106/92 mmHg. Blood pressure after physical activity was 137/98, 127/95, and 137/99 mmHg. There was an increase in blood pressure after physical activity.
Background
Prior to designing the experiment several tasks were completed to prepare for this experiment. In 2.1.1, pumps were designed and the function of the heart was discussed. A sheep heart dissection was performed to learn the anatomy of the heart as well as the flow of blood through the heart, again relating structure to function.
To prepare for data collection, a LabVIEW program was built to familiarize ourselves with how LabVIEW works and how to construct programs. After familiarization with LabVIEW equipment and use, an experiment was performed to look at heart rate is affected by the “fight or flight” response. The next logical step would be to look at blood pressure and what factors would affect blood pressure.
Blood pressure is the measurement of the force exerted on the walls of arteries. Systolic pressure is while the ventricles are contracting and diastolic pressure is while the ventricles are not contracting. Blood pressure is typically written as Systolic/Diastolic. A normal blood pressure range for an adult is between 90/60 and 120/80. If blood pressure is too high (hypertension) or too low (hypotension) it can cause medical issues for the individual. “Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic kidney failure. Moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure leads to shortened life expectancy” (Wikipedia, 2010).
Blood pressure is controlled by the autonomic nervous system and responds to “physiological factors, such as diet, exercise, disease, drugs or alcohol, stress, obesity, and so-forth” (Wikipedia, 2010). Some variation in blood pressure is normal as it is a physiological response to stimuli, but should remain fairly stable under normal conditions.
The overall goal for the experiment is to determine the effect on physical activity on blood pressure.
Hypothesis
Blood pressure will increase after 30 seconds of physical activity.

Materials and Methods * Materials (Project Lead the Way, 2010): * Computer with LabVIEW software * SensorDAQ with USB cable * Vernier Blood Pressure sensor * Stair case * Graph paper * Watch, clock or timer * Experimental Design Resource Sheet * How to Write a Scientific Laboratory Report Resource Sheet

* Methods:
Blood pressure cuff and sensor will be set up according to instructions included in package. Readings are taken using LabVIEW Software. Subject will stand to take initial baseline blood pressure. Subject will stand for one minute prior to taking initial blood pressure. Take blood pressure using LabVIEW Software.
Leave blood pressure cuff on subject, subject runs stairs at consistent pace for 30 seconds. At the end of the 30 seconds, immediately take blood pressure using LabVIEW Software.
Wait 5 minutes between trials, and repeat all steps as listed above.
Record all data in data table. Graph all data using Excel.
Results
In Trial 1 the subject’s initial blood pressure was 94/75 mmHg with a mean of 75 mmHg, after 30 seconds of stair running, the subject’s blood pressure increased to 137/98 mmHg with a mean of 98 mmHg. Trial 2 was performed five minutes after trial 1 ended. The subject’s initial blood pressure was 125/92 mmHg with a mean of 92 mmHg, after the physical activity, blood pressure increased to 127/95 mmHg with a mean of 95 mmHg. Trial 3 results were initial blood pressure of 106/97 mmHg with a mean of 97 mmHg and post activity blood pressure of 137/99 mmHg with a mean of 122 mmHg. Trial | 1 | 2 | 3 | Initial BP (mm Hg) | 94/75 (mean 75) | 125/92 (mean 92) | 106/97 (mean 97) | Initial HR (bpm) | 72 | 69 | 97 | Post activity BP (mm HG) | 137/98 (mean 98) | 127/95 (mean 95) | 137/99 (mean 122) | Post activity HR (bpm) | 92 | 112 | 91 |

Discussion
There is a clear increase in blood pressure after physical activity in all three trials; trial one 94/75 to 137/98 mmHg, trial two 125/92 to 127/95 mmHg, and trial three 106/97 to 137/99 mmHg. The data supports the hypothesis that increased physical activity would increase blood pressure. This increase in blood pressure is an autonomic response to the body’s need for more oxygen during exercise. Possible errors in the results are that immediately following the first trial, we had difficulty getting the LabVIEW Software to take readings and the subject was waiting for approximately 30seconds to 1 minute before the blood pressure reading was taken. This could be eliminated by practicing with the software more before beginning the experiment. Also, we could wait longer between trials and allow the subject’s blood pressure to return to “normal.” Future experiments could include additional trials, extending the activity time, taking blood pressure before, during, and after exercise, also monitoring the affect exercise has on overall blood pressure.
Conclusion
There is an increase in blood pressure after physical activity.
Citations
Project Lead the Way. 2010. Principles of the Biomedical Sciences. 2010. Clifton Park, NY: Project Lead the Way, Inc.; Activity 2.3.3.
Wikipedia contributors. Blood pressure [Internet]. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia; 2010 Jun 21, 18:15 UTC [cited 2010 Jun 25]. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blood_pressure&oldid=369401703.
Wikipedia contributors. Hypertension [Internet]. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia; 2010 Jun 16, 19:21 UTC [cited 2010 Jun 25]. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hypertension&oldid=368444438.

Citations: Project Lead the Way. 2010. Principles of the Biomedical Sciences. 2010. Clifton Park, NY: Project Lead the Way, Inc.; Activity 2.3.3. Wikipedia contributors. Blood pressure [Internet]. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia; 2010 Jun 21, 18:15 UTC [cited 2010 Jun 25]. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blood_pressure&oldid=369401703. Wikipedia contributors. Hypertension [Internet]. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia; 2010 Jun 16, 19:21 UTC [cited 2010 Jun 25]. Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hypertension&oldid=368444438.